By Jaime Ortega.
Russia today accused the European Union (EU) of double standards by lifting restrictions on the import of military equipment and technology to Ukraine, the scene of a conflict between government forces and pro-Russian rebels since April.
“During the recent meeting of the European Council of EU leaders agreed to lift restrictions to sneak exports to Ukraine with equipment that can be used for internal repression,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said today in a statement.
According to the note, Brussels “also authorized the export of military equipment and technology.”
Moscow remembers it was on February 20 when the European Council adopted the restrictions that were lifted this week, that is, “when in power President (Viktor) Yanukovych was” ousted on February 22.
“When in the Maidan (Independence Square Kiev) continued violent clashes between armed radical ultra-nationalist and virtually unarmed security forces,” he adds.
“in the EU are considered inaccurate supplying weapons and special equipment to ‘Yanukovych regime, ‘” he said.
“Now, without regard to the continuation of the military operation in the South East by the present authorities in Kiev, the EU considered necessary to resume large-scale granting of licenses for the export of military equipment and special teams,” says.
Discomfort in Brussels
The Russian Foreign Ministry believes that “it is clear why the EU is determined to silence the undisputed facts of the shooting of Russian territory from Ukraine: the perspective of being part involved in such actions probably creates some discomfort in Brussels”.
Therefore, Russia calls on the EU “to be guided by common logic and not by the situation or the ‘trappings’ of Washington”.
“The decision to limit supplies of weapons and gadgets to Ukraine was taken after the start of the so-called anti-terrorist operation in the Donbass and Lugansk region. But even now it is not too late to resume such a ban,” he said.
Otherwise, he warns, “without it, it will increase the responsibility of the European Union in the ongoing bloodshed in the south of Ukraine.”
This week the EU adopted officially, among other restrictive measures against Russia for its role in Ukraine, an embargo on the import and export of arms and related materials to and from Russia, and a ban on the export of dual-use goods (civil or defensive) military purposes.
